Ashton hat-trick ends Hull KR's reign in Super League eliminator
Matty Ashton scored a hat-trick as Warrington Wolves ended Hull Kingston Rovers' reign in the Betfred Super League play-off eliminator at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on 19 September 2026. Ashton made it 23 tries for the season.
Warrington were the better side throughout and held a 12-6 lead at half-time after a superb Joe Burgess try for the Robins answered earlier scores from Ben Currie and Ashton. Hull KR had managed a clean sweep of domestic honours last season, but produced an underwhelming display in this match that reflected an inconsistent campaign.
Betfred Super League play-off eliminator Tries: Currie, Ashton 3, Hopoate, King Goals: Irwin 5 Drop-goal: Williams Tries: Burgess, Hadley Goals: Mourgue 2
Burgess's early fumble gifted Currie a try under the posts, with Ewan Irwin converting and then adding a penalty as Sam Burgess's side dominated. Arthur Mourgue broke from close to his own line and Joe Burgess was in support to score a try that took them within two points, but Warrington responded when they carved open the Robins' right flank and Ashton finished for his 100th Super League try.
Those hopes evaporated after Peta Hiku thrust his closed fist into the face of George Williams and a video review deemed it a red-card offence, reducing Hull KR to 12 men. Rovers continued to battle — Karl Lawton prevented a Josh Thewlis try and Dean Hadley went the other way to take the 12 men to within four points — before James Bentley stole the ball and broke, Ashton ran in support and completed his hat-trick.
The Robins' resurgence was deflated as Albert Hopoate produced an acrobatic finish, George Williams added a one-pointer with a late drop-goal and Toby King scored on his final home appearance before joining London Broncos to round off a comprehensive Warrington victory.
Defeat brought Willie Peters' successful reign as Rovers coach to an end as he leaves to join new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs next season, and the Robins finished eight points behind the Wolves in the Super League table. Warrington: Josh Thewlis; Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams, Irwin; Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Stone, Bentley, Currie Interchanges: Yates, Hayes, Philbin, Tanginoa Hull KR: Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Minchella Interchanges: Amone, Broadbent, Luckley, Lawton
Warrington will now travel to play Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley on Friday, 25 September for a place in the Grand Final, with Wakefield Trinity taking on Wigan Warriors in the other semi-final the following evening.